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Last updated on August 3rd, 2017 at 12:16 pm
“Quite possibly the most non-PC meal ever,” emails reader Fidens. “Whale veal.”
(By the way, a friend recently returned from a whale-munchin’ nation reports that whale steak is “like regular steak, except it’s the best steak you’ve ever tasted.” This requires further study.)
- Any companionable, non-PC suggestions for what drop should accompany, and what dessert should follow, yummy whale veal?Posted by C.L. on 2007 07 24 at 11:09 AM • permalink
It horrifies Australians to know that pregnant humpback whales breeding in the warm waters off Australia this winter will be targeted by the Japanese hunters in Antarctic waters this Christmas.”
And I wonder how many of these horrified people favour abortion on demand any time in a pregnancy?
Posted by andycanuck on 2007 07 24 at 11:10 AM • permalink
- #1 A few whole, spit-roast baby seals would provide an alternative meat dish.Posted by ThinAndBritish on 2007 07 24 at 11:14 AM • permalink
- #1 and although not an expert, I feel that orange sauce, with the oranges imported from Israel of course, would be a fitting accompaniment for the spit-roast baby seals.Posted by ThinAndBritish on 2007 07 24 at 11:18 AM • permalink
- I’ve snacked on whale a few time, and I can report that it’s algoreing yummy. I expected a fishy taste, but it’s very light, a little like veal. Making a hippie cry is a dish best served cold, hot, or lukewarm.Posted by flying pigs over mecca on 2007 07 24 at 11:38 AM • permalink
1…suggestions for what drop should accompany, and what dessert should follow, yummy whale veal?
If only there were a dessert made from precious fossil fuels….
And don’t forget to dine by the flattering glow of a whale-oil lamp.
Posted by Harry Bergeron on 2007 07 24 at 11:47 AM • permalink
- Well, yes, if you cannot obtain narwhal, whale veal can be a tasty substitute.
/smug
Posted by wronwright on 2007 07 24 at 11:53 AM • permalink
- Don’t leave out the ivory candelabra.Posted by ThinAndBritish on 2007 07 24 at 12:00 PM • permalink
- Truthfully, I’d feel a little funny about eating whale meat. I mean, they’re a highly developed mammal with an intelligence that is not too far short of human, and, in the case of specific humans like Al Gore and Jimmy Carter, clearly exceeds it. Unreasonable, I suppose, but there it is. Besides, in their attempts to get me to eat seafood over the years, my friends have told me all kinds of things “taste like” or “taste better than” steak: shark meat, blue-fin tuna, you name it. No truth to the claims at all, based on my experience. And hot spiced crab balls . . . poor little neutered fellows; bet it takes quite a few to make up a meal. Anyhow, that shot’s certainly not on the board.
- Speaking as a resident of the UK, it’s extremely hard to find a decent steak anyway. Most of them resemble part of a Reebok.
On my one trip to the US (Denver) I visited I think a Chilli’s, and had what was undoubtedly the best steak I have ever tasted, served over a bar with a freezing cold beer.
Presumably this sort of the thing is normal for you guys. Bastards.
Posted by ThinAndBritish on 2007 07 24 at 12:07 PM • permalink
Presumably this sort of the thing is normal for you guys. Bastards.
Yup! On both counts.
Posted by The_Real_JeffS on 2007 07 24 at 12:10 PM • permalink
And I wonder how many of these horrified people favour abortion on demand any time in a pregnancy?
Or, in a different context, how many of them are campaigning against Islamic terrorists killing people by the truckload around the world?
Yep, you can sure tell what their priorities are, you betcha!
Posted by The_Real_JeffS on 2007 07 24 at 12:12 PM • permalink
- #13: Presumably this sort of the thing is normal for you guys. Bastards
I unashamedly admit that it is. You can get great steaks (and ribs and pork chops) practically anywhere. And, interestingly, the best slab of pork rib I ever had was in a seafood restaurant somewhere in Florida (Stuart or Vero Beach, I think).
But you do have the edge in some things, T&B. I mean, I don’t have a clue as to where you find jellied eels, and I’ve never seen spotted dick on a menu anywhere.
- #16 OMG jellied eels. There was a guy eating them on TV the other day; it resembled chopped-up snakes in sewage. The slurping sound you could hear as he ate did nothing to enhance my enjoyment.
No; when I want a decent meal I go to France.
Posted by ThinAndBritish on 2007 07 24 at 12:20 PM • permalink
- And the best thing about narwhal, wronwright, is that you can pick your teeth after the meal using an ivory pick!Posted by andycanuck on 2007 07 24 at 12:21 PM • permalink
- In fact one good way to avoid badly-cooked steak is the lateral solution: don’t cook it. Raw steak can be great as long as it’s top-quality and at the right temperature with the right sauces.Posted by ThinAndBritish on 2007 07 24 at 12:21 PM • permalink
- Thin and British:
That’s so sad.
The best steak you ever had, and it was at Chili’s?
Sheesh. Send you to a real steak place, and your head would explode.
(It’s like the New Yorkers who come here to Florida and won’t eat the bananas because they’re yellow, instead of the mostly-brown ones they’re used to…)
- Come to think of it, I once tasted a wine that appeared to have been made from fossil fuels, or whale oil. Or both.Posted by Harry Bergeron on 2007 07 24 at 12:34 PM • permalink
- #21 Yep – your Chili’s beats our top restaurants to my mind, unless the latter actually employ foreigners. Thing is, the foreigners (French, American, Pakistani, whatever) get to realise the Brits will accept any old slop without complaint, and eventually drop their standards.Posted by ThinAndBritish on 2007 07 24 at 12:43 PM • permalink
- ThinAndBritish…next time you come to the States, try one of these.
You shall die a happy person…LOL. (hope not, anyway)
- #26 Yes, The Great Satan is decadent and must pay. I may be forced to park outside Chili’s with a car full of semtex.Posted by ThinAndBritish on 2007 07 24 at 01:09 PM • permalink
- I have a consultant who tells me of a place, Jackass Jack’s, near his home in Dayton, Ohio, that serves big pork chop dinners with great potato casserole every Tuesday night for $9.95. He says it’s very popular with couples riding motorcycles. Easily 1000 people every Tuesday night.
I said it must be great. Wonder what the secret is? He replied, well, a few years ago, an Australian bought the place and …
Posted by wronwright on 2007 07 24 at 04:02 PM • permalink
- A person known to me was in China a couple of years ago, wrapping up some business deal, and at the obligatory wrap-up banquet the hosts were very proud to point out that the main course was Yanzhi River Dolphin. Their pride being directly linked to “It’s so hard to getthese days”.
Is that the most Non-PC meal?
I’ve had whale. Tastes like lean beef eated at the beach.Posted by ooh honey honey on 2007 07 24 at 05:02 PM • permalink
- Everyone relax and take a deep breath.
These whales are from “one of the world’s few well-managed, sustainable populations”. In other words they were farm-raised whales just like Al’s Chilean Sea Bass.
I prefer my whale steak with some fluffy scrambled California Condor eggs…maybe with a touch of Emeril’s green pepper sauce. BAM!!!
- Whale meat is such an amazing Piscitorial And Culinary Order.Posted by Hank Reardon on 2007 07 24 at 06:20 PM • permalink
- I’ve been trying to force down a couple of boxes of Omaha Steak bacon-wrapped filet mignons my mom sent from home.
Sigh. The sacrifices I make for family.
Posted by richard mcenroe on 2007 07 24 at 08:24 PM • permalink
- I’ve had whale, in Japan. For research purposes only, mind you. We were researching how it tasted.Posted by Steve Skubinna on 2007 07 24 at 08:54 PM • permalink
- Ambergris makes excellent furniture polish, too.Posted by Infidel Tiger on 2007 07 24 at 09:16 PM • permalink
- I find eating whale to be disgusting. One reason is that they’re intelligent, although I’m not going to be drawn into a debate on whether a whale is more intelligent than a cow or a sheep. The other reason is that it’s unnecessary – there are plenty of domesticated animals to eat. And plenty of lesser wild fish and seafood species without having to resort to whales. Glorifying the slaughter of an animal just because it might tick off a hippy is pathetic. I hope you guys are above that. I do however see the hypocrisy in contrasting concern over the death of a pregnant cow and abortion on demand – I am pro-life and prefer the whales be left alone too.
there are still good environmental causes – don’t drop them just because the messengers are dimwits.
The other reason is that it’s unnecessary – there are plenty of domesticated animals to eat.
Yes, the native tribes who live above the Arctic circle can eat Velveeta cheese, chocolate bars, and Hormel chili that they can buy with their food stamps at the only store within two hundred miles of where they live out by the ice floes. Yes of course Junia, I realize you meant “unnecessary for people who live near an abundant supply of other food, but necessity is the mother of the meal at your table, isn’t it?
Beware using the “unnecessary” argument when you try to express disapproval of some pleasure or other. It leads to counter arguments of just what we can really do without, including computers and spending time worrying about whales. By the way, I’ve never figured out why people think whales are so intelligent as to merit special protection. As far as I know whales are simply large, and the sounds they make are often eery. I am not sure that this means they are intelligent enough not to be eaten.
Posted by Andrea Harris, Administrator on 2007 07 24 at 09:37 PM • permalink
- I’ve seen a cow swim. Never seen a whale get much further than the surf break.
And if you think whale tastes good – wait until you eat porpoise sashimi. The trick is to remove the blowhole while its still kicking on your boat deck.
Posted by Infidel Tiger on 2007 07 24 at 09:45 PM • permalink
there are plenty of domesticated animals to eat. And plenty of lesser wild fish and seafood species
Tuna stocks are far more endangered than Whale stocks, yet there’s no big protest against killing of Tuna.
The environmentalist movement has to come up with a better reason not to kill and eat certain types of animals other than “I like those ones, they’re pretty”. Why is a Tuna a lesser animal than a whale? The shark fin fishing industry does far more damage to the marine ecology that Japan and Iceland harpooning a few big critters, but you don’t see the streets filled with people demanding that shark fishing be stopped.
I fully support the ban on killing of endangered animals. I also don’t care for the killing of animals as trophies. But if the species is not endangered why should there be a ban on the sustainable hunting of a species provided that the carcass is put to good use?
- #48 Junia
Glorifying the slaughter of an animal just because it might tick off a hippy is pathetic.
If you have trouble with this type of humour then algore off.
Posted by flying pigs over mecca on 2007 07 24 at 09:54 PM • permalink
- I’ll never forget the anticipation before my first whale banquet. I was sweating like a dog in a Korean restaurant…Posted by Infidel Tiger on 2007 07 24 at 10:06 PM • permalink
- I’ll pass on the whale, thanks. I prefer taking my once-threatened species in the form of yummy, yummy bison.
I haven’t tried this recipe yet, but now that I’ve dredged the link up out of my bookmarks, I may have to give it a shot.
Posted by Blue State Sil on 2007 07 24 at 11:15 PM • permalink
- Radius, while I do have a headache at the moment (and thus am not in a good humour), being told to go away just because I don’t find something funny is a tad over the top. I didn’t think this forum was an echo chamber. Liking animals, I just don’t find their deaths particularly funny. Inevitable at times, but not funny.
What I object to is that the killing of whales is not quick and fast, it’s drawn out and bloody horrible. Japan is a well-fed industralised nation – whalemeat is not vital to it’s survival – it’s an indulgence dressed up as “tradition” to justify it’s existence.
And yeah, indulgence is open to many interpretations – modern life is full of them. But I’m going to take a panadol for my headache and try to be less serious.
- 49 Andrea, Supreme Comptroller, obeisances.
Whales, like Mister Ed (and Al Gore on a good day), can do math. They wave the answer with their flippers- though often it’s a fluke.
Posted by arrowhead ripper on 2007 07 25 at 01:20 AM • permalink
- Having lived in Japan before for numerous years I can honestly say that if whale meat was open to normal market forces it wouldn’t make a comeback. The main people who like it are old folks who are somewhat nostalgic about it because that’s what they ate at school during/after world war two when food was scarce. The younger generation would stick to beef which is cheaper (except Wagyu beef) and usually Australian (although US beef is probably back now as well). From my experience of eating both cooked and raw whale meat I still think a good sirloin is better.
- #64 Asha
Can’t really see the point in eating whales, have never tried it myself. I agree, there is lots of other stuff to eat, like sheep and cows and chooks and patagonian toothfish.#57 Junia
I don’t think this place is an echo chamber either, good on you for having a go and digging your heels in. But having said that, let me say this, when it comes to cutting the piss out of a hippy, I am above nothing. And if whales were so smart when they heard a boat coming they would piss off.#52 Radius
I think the tenor of your post was a bit, shall we say, rash.
- I’ve never really formulated an opinion on the consumption of whales, but if the Japanese government is in favour of it, it must be a good thing. (My default option for setting my moral compass is Japanese culture and traditions.)
- Want a laugh. Have a look at the Australian greens economic policies.
here“the free-market economy, by externalising the environmental and social costs of greenhouse gas emissions is creating the greatest market-failure of all time, namely climate change.”
“the cost of addressing climate change now is far less than the cost of failing to do so.”Hellllooo centralised and nationalised industry!
Another.
“re-introduce an inheritance tax with full exemption for the family farm and exemption for the family home and other assets up to a total value of $2 million.”Because we dont want people to leave anything for their kids?
“return the company tax rate to 33% and broaden the company tax base by reducing tax concessions.”
Otherwise known as “drive off big business and bleed the rest dry”.
“ensure that natural monopolies and other essential public services are under public ownership.”
Why does that one worry me more than most of the others in its vagueness?
Posted by thefrollickingmole on 2007 07 25 at 05:07 AM • permalink
- What I want is for emu to return to the Woolies meat counter. About 7 years ago an Aboriginal woman told me that emu is delicious; far, far better than chook. But Woolies had stopped stocking it by then and they have continued to not stock it. Too bad.
They stopped stocking croc too but that’s no great loss. It doesn’t taste of anything really.
- Any companionable, non-PC suggestions for what drop should accompany, and what dessert should follow, yummy whale veal?
When I had my whale feast in Tokyo, it was accompanied by numerous glasses of Sapporo beer.
Whale bacon is really good too.
Pics Here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/28926410@N00/ (Scroll Down to the end)
- #70 Janice
Emu is pretty good, but only the stuff that is farmed commercially (which is pretty hard to get.) The ones that live in the scrub up on the Cape where I grew up tasted effing horrible, due in main, to their diet.
That said, I was surprised to find that they do taste like chicken, as does everything new.
Except crocodile tail. Believe me on that one. 🙂
On my one trip to the US (Denver) I visited I think a Chilli’s, and had what was undoubtedly the best steak I have ever tasted
At Chilis? Seriously, if you come back to the US and you’re anywhere near Pennsylvania, let us take you out for some real steak.
Posted by rightwingprof on 2007 07 25 at 06:56 AM • permalink
- #69 fidens
So i guess you are against eating fish? Letting your food suffocate before eating it. I don’t have a problem with hunting unless it’s being cruel just for fun (which this is most certainly not) but then i’ve eaten raw horse, blowfish, chicken, chicken liver, mince meat, whale and all sorts of other stuff while in Japan. As a bonus this list also includes the steamed dog and dog soup I had in Korea (i recommend the soup). Does that exclude me from this discussion? Haven’t had dolphin yet but so long as it’s not endangered I’m up for anything.
- #74 Cheers for asking – fine. 7 weeks to go! The health scares were mostly bollocks.Posted by ThinAndBritish on 2007 07 25 at 07:13 AM • permalink
- #65 Pickles. No, we shall not.
#82 AshaB.
Haven’t had dolphin yet but so long as it’s not endangered I’m up for anything.
Have a look at this (graphic). It put me off dolphin for life. (Actually, I wouldn’t eat dolphin because of their intelligence. I have enough trouble eating pigs if I think about it.)
Posted by flying pigs over mecca on 2007 07 25 at 07:15 AM • permalink
- #84 Thin and Soon to be Right Chuffed
That’s great mate!
I know you were a little worried, but you guys are in the home straight now.I am kinda envious, but will admit I will be crapping myself if I ever have a little one to look after. 🙂
Probably be the most protective father in history, please God, not a girl!If they were a girl, well, I have a little experience with defensive works, and any boy who comes within range of my house when she turns 13 had better have done his homework.
And be driving a tank.
- #86 + 89
Cheers guys. Ash when is yours due?
Posted by ThinAndBritish on 2007 07 25 at 07:31 AM • permalink
- #93 Ok, just for you two.
I was at a cafe with a friend of a particular mindset. Now, this friend is a year and a half younger than me. Clearly missed the entire Vietnam war situation.
We were talking about the Iraq war, and somehow the conversation turned to Vietnam. Now, this friend is an idiot. She started telling me how Vietnam wasn’t a good war, etc, and she tried to make herself sound credible. But note: a person cannot, ever, make themself sound more credible by trying to tell others that Jimmy Barnes was in Vietnam and “he really understands how bad it was. It’s the vibe, y’know?”
Once I stopped laughing and was finally able to breath again, I pointed out that Jimmy Barnes wasn’t in the Army, and he sure as hell wasn’t in Vietnam, and he didn’t write the song in the first place.
- It’s the vibe, y’know?”
Never let truth get in the way of truthiness.
Posted by ThinAndBritish on 2007 07 25 at 07:53 AM • permalink
- #94 Ash_
ROTFLMAO 🙂I had a different experience, I guess, during our ‘Cinderella’ leave from basic training (about 6 weeks in you get a weekend off), I travelled to Euchuca (however you spell it) with a mate, because to get home and back would have taken 3 days on planes.
Turned out that the drummer from Redgum was living there at the time, and the band was playing in the pub our first night. Someone told them that we (the two skinny kids with shaven heads skolling beer like it was going to save our lives) were Army, so they played ‘I was only nineteen’ and dedicated it to us.
I have never been drunker or prouder than that night, even after I fireman carried him home, and got to know his sister in a ‘biblical way.’
I turned nineteen that night.
- BTW apologies for the brevity of my comments Ash and 185600. Have to do work! Bloody time zones….Posted by ThinAndBritish on 2007 07 25 at 08:04 AM • permalink
- #96 What a brilliant way to turn nineteen 185600. If I recall my nineteenth (and some of it I do!) I started off the night drinking Fanta, and ended up in a tree 2 kms from home, with no clothes on.
I’m not sure that I ever want to find out what I did between that first Fanta and about midday the next day.
- No problem, Thin And Workin’ for a Livin’.
You should contact your local Member of Parliament. It’s unreasonable for any employer to expect you to work for a living. If you need any assistance, these guys will help.
- #98 Ash_
Thanks, it’s one of my fondest memories. 🙂Up a tree with no clothes on?
Um, if you like, you can email me with the back story to that. 🙂
I have to get some sleep, so I will.
I have replied to your emails, so if you get a chance, check them, because one of yours had me a little worried.
For my Thin and Overworked friend, that’s ok, we understand (see Ash_ the Brits still have that ‘Colonials, only want them when WE need them attitude’ happening.)
Kidding, Thin and Miffed. 🙂
Night all, and God Bless
- #100 see Ash_ the Brits still have that ‘Colonials, only want them when WE need them attitude’ happening.)
Well I appreciate the Castlemaine XXXX and those funny corks that hang off of hat brims (what are they for and do you get them off wine bottles? – I mean you never drink wine do you, just beer……)
Oh and Croc Dundee II is an awesome movie !
😉
Posted by ThinAndBritish on 2007 07 25 at 08:21 AM • permalink
- #102 Thin and Sarcastic
The corks grow off trees here, with a wine bottle attached, being Australian, we tear the tender wine bottle off the precious cork and smash it, (unless we are of Italian or Sicilian decent, in which case we drain it) and decorate our headwear in such a manner as to create mirth for our betters. 🙂
As someone who’s dad makes Paul Hogan look like a ‘Townie’ I will not even comment on Crocodile Dundee, ever.
- sleep wellPosted by ThinAndBritish on 2007 07 25 at 08:41 AM • permalink
- 110 nakedness and trees – not a good combinationPosted by ThinAndBritish on 2007 07 25 at 08:53 AM • permalink
- ##12 There remains the question of how you got drunk on Fanta. Over here it’s an orange-flavoured non-alcoholic fizzy drink.Posted by ThinAndBritish on 2007 07 25 at 09:35 AM • permalink
- I meant #112Posted by ThinAndBritish on 2007 07 25 at 09:36 AM • permalink
- ThinAndBritish wrote:
110 nakedness and trees – not a good combination
The bark is worse than the bite?
Posted by Patrick Chester on 2007 07 25 at 09:39 AM • permalink
- Ummm,
Whale wrapped with horse bacon.
Now you all have me pining for the fjords.
Posted by joe bagadonuts on 2007 07 25 at 09:42 AM • permalink
- I’ll bet it was the Fanta, though. That stuff has nasty chemicals right out of the bottle.Posted by Andrea Harris, Administrator on 2007 07 25 at 09:04 PM • permalink
